First, Mark Bunker continues to release tidbits from the full-length Scientology documentary he's making, and yesterday dropped this meaty morsel: former top church spokesman Mike Rinder explaining how he oversaw a spying operation on businessman Bob Minton. (I'm rushing, so if you want background on Minton, you'll find plenty online, and I would wager that our commenters will also be happy to provide info.)

THR scribe Daniel Miller put together a terrific report about the various historic properties owned by Scientology. It was especially impressive that he was able to calculate how much money the church saves each year on the Hollywood buildings it owns because of Scientology's controversial tax-exempt status:

According to data from the assessor's office, the church paid $43,359 in property taxes on the five buildings last year. Without the exemptions, it would have paid $265,650 -- good for an 84 percent reduction in property tax, or a savings of $222,291. The assessor's office did not supply THR with tax data on the church's 19 non-historic properties in Hollywood; these might also be entitled to property tax exemptions.

Miller also spent time with Scientology's real estate team, getting very interesting information about how the church purchases and refurbishes buildings, using, for example, the construction firm CB Richard Ellis.

Miller also got responses from Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis, and it's the first time in quite a while that we've heard anything from him. Is Tommy now back in the good graces of DM?

Anyway, my thanks to several of our readers who sent me tips on these developments. Keep them coming! I'm still keeping an eye on the old e-mail inbox while I'm out gallivanting around. Back online soon!